Holiday shopping should be a festive activity, but it often becomes a stressful chore for many of us. Whether we’ve gone a little overboard with our spending, chosen the wrong present or last-minute panic shopping, we’ve all made common mistakes at some point.
From the inappropriate gift-buyer to the compulsive splurger, these are 12 mistakes you might make when shopping this holiday season and how you can avoid them.
Waiting until the last minute to shop
Waiting until the last minute to shop for holiday gifts is a surefire way to rush, stress and overpay. We all know how quickly that ‘must-have’ present is sold out and how harrowing it is to shop in busy stores with mobs of holiday-crazed shoppers elbowing past.
Holiday shopping early also gives you more options to choose the best gifts at the best prices. An added bonus is giving yourself time to think about the people you want to buy for so you can make sure you’re giving them things they will actually use and love.
Skipping price comparisons or sales
Impulse buys are exciting, but they’re also often more expensive than they need to be. Often times, the same item can be significantly cheaper at another store or online. Spend a few minutes comparing prices or wait for a sale to snag a better deal and end up saving a lot of money when buying multiple gifts.
Buying too many gifts without a list or a plan
Gift lists sound a little dull, but they work because making a list will help you curb your spending and stay focused on buying only what’s on it. Shopping without a list often results in buying more than you need, or buying things that nobody needs. Gift lists will help you make sure you don’t forget anyone or overspend on anyone.
Buying into “false scarcity” or “limited time” sales
Limited-time offers. Only a few left in stock. Offer ends tonight.
These statements (which usually aren’t true at all) are sales tricks to encourage you to make a purchase before you have a chance to think rationally about whether you need something. Before buying a gift because of a discount or promotion, consider if it’s an item you really need or just an item you want because it’s available right now and looks like a good deal.
Not factoring shipping into online purchases
Online shopping is easy but so are shipping delays. If you don’t pay attention to shipping or delivery estimates, you could end up having a gift delivered after the holiday has passed.
Always check estimated delivery dates before purchasing an item and order gifts well in advance of the holiday date, especially if they need to be shipped from overseas or custom-ordered.
Not budgeting (or adhering to a budget)
Holiday spending can spiral out of control very quickly. When we don’t set a budget, we can spend money we don’t have and end up with regret and debt when the holidays are over. Before shopping, determine how much you can actually afford to spend and then try to make it stick. The thoughtfulness of a gift is always more important than the price tag.
Buying gifts without regard to the recipient
Gifts should be about the person receiving them, not the holiday season or even the person giving them. Buying a gift without considering the recipient means that just because a present is popular or festive, it doesn’t necessarily make it something that the other person will like or use.
Consider what your friend or family member’s hobbies, lifestyle and interests are. A simple and personal gift is always better than a big and impersonal one.
Charging items without a repayment plan
Holiday shopping with a credit card can be blissfully easy while you shop. Unfortunately, paying off that bill later can be an absolute headache, especially when compounded with interest charges. If you choose to use a credit card to pay for your gifts, have a repayment plan in place before you start charging items so you can quickly pay it down in full without the holiday season haunting you for months.
Not checking a return or exchange policy
Not every gift purchase will be a keeper. When you buy something with the intent to return or exchange it if it doesn’t work out, not knowing the policies (or missing the return window) can mean you’re stuck with a gift you can’t use or regift.
Always be aware of return or exchange policies, especially during the holidays when they can be more lenient or less.
Shopping while stressed or distracted
Shopping when we’re distracted (such as being hungry or rushing between appointments) is never a good idea, but holiday shopping is often both. Holiday shopping when we’re rushed or tired often results in overspending, forgetting to purchase key items on our list, and buying things we regret later.
Try to take the time to shop when you’re well-rested and not otherwise distracted. It will make the process easier and more enjoyable.
Buying the same gifts repeatedly
Buying the same types of gifts for the same people every year can become predictable. Traditions can be nice, but people also appreciate a little variety. Mix things up a little (even in small ways) when you shop to add some novelty and effort into the equation.
Forgetting to keep track of receipts for warranty or exchanges
Gift receipts may seem like an afterthought to worry about after we’ve already wrapped the present and placed it under the tree, but keeping a record of what we purchase is a good idea. If an item needs to be exchanged or replaced, having that receipt (or a picture or record of it) will help make that process much easier.
The following sources were consulted in the preparation of this article:
Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Mistakes To Avoid Before You Blow Your Budget
Avoiding Common Holiday Shopping Mistakes